🌟Neighbor Spotlight: Meet Laura Gallant
Growing up, Laura Gallant never had the chance to put down roots. Her family moved more than sixty-three times, always renting and never staying long enough to truly know the people around them. Raised by a single mother alongside four siblings, stability and long-term community were luxuries she rarely experienced. But those early years planted a seed, one that would later shape Laura’s passion for connection and service.
As an adult, Laura married and moved into a new neighborhood with a clear intention: this time would be different. Determined to meet her neighbors, she baked goods, attached her name to a card, and included a business card as she went door to door. It was her way of breaking the ice, and it worked. Laura began building the kind of relationships she had always longed for.
Laura often says she “likes people, loves to serve people, and chose a career where she could serve people.” One of her guiding beliefs is simple but powerful: people need people. She lives by the philosophy, “Always be kind and you will always be happy,” and that mindset shows in everything she does.
For twenty-one years, Laura worked as a fitness coach at 24 Hour Fitness, motivating others to stay healthy and strong. After enduring eight knee surgeries, she was eventually unable to continue that work. During that challenging season, a moment of unexpected wisdom helped keep her going. A three-year-old once told her, “You get what you get, and you don’t throw a fit.” That simple reminder strengthened Laura’s resilience and reinforced her commitment to doing what she loves most: connecting with people.
Laura’s impact has not gone unnoticed. Her neighbor, Joan Stangs, submitted a “Nominate a Neighbor” application through Hey Neighbor, recognizing Laura as a standout community builder. Joan shared that she first noticed professionally made community signs throughout the Crystal Hills neighborhood promoting a potluck gathering. Curious and impressed, she attended along with 44 other neighbors. Everyone brought their own food, shared conversations, and left feeling more connected. Joan describes Laura as a true “mover and shaker.”
Today, Laura’s home is often buzzing with activity movie nights, Oktoberfest celebrations, and seasonal potlucks are just a few examples. She spreads the word through Facebook community pages, postcards, flyers, and good old-fashioned door-to-door outreach. She is also involved in the Memorial Day Annual Manitou Incline Hike, hosting and setting up lunch for participants after the hike and creating space for connection from sunrise to sunset. Looking ahead, Laura is actively planning a community business list to help neighbors network and support one another.
Laura believes in creating the change you want to see and leading by example. She demonstrates this philosophy through her work on the Realtor Estate Accountability Committee and her continued dedication to neighborhood engagement. This year, Laura and Joan will team up to participate in the Hey Neighbor 150 Tables Event sign-up, which will take place from May through October. Together, they’re excited to create a long table that keeps the spirit of community alive.
